Here are some small reads that are perfect for reading and sharing in fall. These Small Reads Roundups appear first in my Small Reads monthly e‑letter for educators. Subscribe here! My plan is to include only things that are easily accessible to you–if you find a link that’s no longer working, please let me know–thank you :>)

Readalouds

All sorts of extension activities for Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle here

Poems

Time for Flight
(a pantoum)

The clock of land chimes autumn,
telling me the time is right for flight
September’s golden seconds drain away
as winter rips out eelgrass hours

Tell me: Is the time right for flight?
The seasons circle, and I twirl to face south
Winter rips out eelgrass hours
and I search for the sweep of instinct.

As the seasons circle, I twirl to face south,
testing tailwinds with my widespread wings
I search for the sweep of instinct
to sound the gong on my feathered heart

I test tailwinds with my widespread wings
as September’s golden seconds drain away
Then, a gong sounds on my feathered heart
The land, my clock, is chiming!

–Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved

Images as Writing Sparks